Drivers travelling a main route between Merthyr Tydfil and Cardiff have complained that their journeys have "doubled" after road works were completed. Last week the Welsh Government completed a resurfacing of the A470 southbound approach to Abercynon roundabout, which is widely used by commuters.
Following the work, users of the road told WalesOnline how their journeys were disrupted by heavy traffic, while traffic lights appeared "out of sync". In response to one driver's complaint, the Welsh Government said the work saw the traffic sensors temporarily removed which led to the lights working "less efficiently". The driver was reassured that sensors would be re-installed on March 10, however the issue continued, causing many to be late to work and appointments.
In response to a social media post, Ashleigh Jones-Lester said: "I live in Merthyr and work at Treforest [Industrial] Estate. It's been taking me over an hour to get into work in the mornings! I contacted them last week...The works were due to be completed Friday, but not happened."
Read now: Group of young Welsh lads win £1m in lotto syndicate
Andrea Jones said: "Merthyr to Abercynon is crazy even when it’s not a busy time. I was stuck in traffic yesterday at 12pm and the lights changed five times before I got through." Laura Murphy said: "I left Merthyr at 7.10am last Thursday to head to Llanishen in Cardiff. I got there at 9am and there was no queueing traffic anywhere other than towards the Abercynon roundabout. It was lucky I'd left extra time to get there because I was taking a student for a driving test and we would have missed it! No time for student to have a drive around, we had to go straight to test."
Wayne Kinsley said: "It took me 20 minutes to get through last week. Queueing virtually back to Aberfan. It doubled my journey time." Matthew Smiless said: "I'm a support worker currently working in Aberthaw. I normally allow one hour for travel. With the delays, it's suddenly added 30 mins on top of that. Being late has affected allocations and what the people I support can do."
When WalesOnline approached the Welsh Government on Wednesday, a spokesperson said there had been a delay in reinstalling the removed sensors, which has led to the ongoing disruption. However, we were told that they should be back in time for rush hour on Wednesday, March 15.
The spokesperson said: “Works to resurface the A470 southbound approach to Abercynon roundabout were completed last week. Due to adverse weather conditions there has been a delay in reinstalling the traffic sensors that were removed to complete the resurfacing work. The traffic sensors are expected to be fully functioning in time for this afternoon’s rush hour.”
Read next:
- The massive construction work taking place on the Heads of the Valleys road
- Multi million pound new building for Merthyr Tydfil's only special school backed by councillors
- Actor injured by drone while filming in Merthyr Tydfil quarry
- Merthyr Council plan to charge higher tax on long term empty properties labelled 'all stick and no carrot'
- Major plans for £300m resort in Wales including UK's longest ski slope formally submitted
